When learning about, or taking care of horses, one quickly learns that grooming is quite an important factor in their upkeep and maintenance. Grooming, brushing, detangling their manes and tails, and quick hoof picking all contribute to a horse’s quality of life. By grooming your horse, you begin to understand how comfortably your horse stands for long periods of time, how they react to certain brushes and combs and how deep their trust in you lies. Grooming can also aid in the discovery of hidden injuries or painful spots that you never would have guessed if you hadn’t brushed that certain place on their body. 

I am by no means an expert, simply someone who takes pride and joy in the knowledge of the horse world – someone who is aiming to be an expert and sharing with you what I learn along the way as well.  

Something that many equestrians or “horse people” tend to skip over with the simple act of grooming their horse, is that it is not just simply a chore that needs to be done, but also a solid foundation of bonding and connection. Something so basic as brushing the dust off your horse can be something so beautiful and significant if you let it be. 

I choose to let it be moments of bonding with my horse, Phantom. She is still quite a skittish horse, one that is trying very hard to let herself trust again, and one that is not used to grooming. Yet with gentle encouragement and a galaxy full of patience, she is slowly beginning to understand that grooming is something that will be part of her life on a weekly basis, and that it’s not all that bad.  

Grooming is by far one of the easiest ways to learn your horse’s mannerisms and how they respond to every brush stroke, every touch, and a wonderful way to grow a beautiful connection.